Parvulastra exigua
Parvulastra exigua, or the dwarf cushion star[1] is a species of sea star. It can be found in temperate intertidal marine communities from geographically widespread sites around the southern hemisphere (including South Africa and Australia).
| Parvulastra exigua | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: | Parvulastra |
| Species: | P. exigua |
| Binomial name | |
| Parvulastra exigua (Lamarck, 1816) | |
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Patiriella exigua | |
Description
Pentagonal body with no obvious protruding arms. Dorsal surface tiled with a small cluster of spines at each tile. Colour variegated, with bright patterns in orange, brown, green and white.[1]
Distribution
Parvulastra exigua is found from Namibia to Mozambique on intertidal zones up to 3 m, on St Helena, St Paul, and southeastern Australia.[1]
Natural history
Intertidal and slightly deeper, well camouflaged. Feeds on microscopic algae by everting stomach onto substrate. No planktonic larval stage.[1]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Parvulastra exigua. |
- Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
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